Combination waterproof footwear covering and carrier bag assembly

ABSTRACT

A combination footwear covering and carrier bag assembly, whereby the footwear covering is worn over the wearer&#39;s foot and/or sock while walking around a wet, snowy or slippery surface. The footwear covering includes a water-resistant body having an interior cavity. The body has a lower portion, a side portion and an upper portion defining the interior cavity. The carrier bag stores the footwear covering therein and is adapted to be unobtrusively worn about a wearer&#39;s body during activity and sports. The bag is made of bendable, water-resistant material having an opening and interior compartment. The bag includes pair of adjustable straps extending outwardly therefrom and a means for fastening the straps to the wearer&#39;s body.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of provisional patent applicationentitled “Lodge Lofers” (Ser. No. 61/755,570) filed in the U.S. Patentand Trademark Office on Jan. 23, 2013 and provisional patent applicationentitled “Sock With Protective Sole and Bag Therefor” (Ser. No.61/757,483) filed in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on Jan. 28,2013. Both applications are hereby incorporated herein by reference intheir entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to footwear coverings, and moreparticularly, to a combination water-resistant footwear covering havinga protective flexible sole and waterproof carrier bag for storing thesame. The footwear covering is to be worn over the wearer's foot and/orsock while walking around a ski lodge or other wet, snowy, dirty orslippery surface. The carrier bag is designed for storing the footwearcovering therein and adapted to be unobtrusively worn about a wearer'sbody during activity and sports or attached to luggage.

2. Description of the Related Art

Active skiers and snowboarders retreat from the slopes into the lodgeand remove their boots to relax, have lunch, or just take a break aftera long day of skiing. After removing their boots, skiers are forced towalk around the lodge and into the parking lot on wet, grimy, coldfloors until they retrieve their shoes. Always having your shoesavailable and within arm's reach is challenging. This is especially truefor active skiers who travel large mountains skiing from one mountainlodge to another during the course of the day. Taking a break and beingable to remove your boots is therefore not always possible or evenpractical when your shoes are in a different lodge or in your parkedcar.

It is, therefore, a primary object of the present invention to provide acombination footwear covering and carrier bag assembly which allowswearers to actively engage in activity and sports while having theirfootwear covering readily accessible.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a combinationfootwear covering and carrier bag assembly, wherein the carrier bag iscapable of storing footwear coverings therein and then adapted tounobtrusively attach to the wearer's body.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a carrier baghaving adjustable straps adapted to wrap around a leg, arm, torso, waistor back of a wearer for conveniently and unobtrusively transporting thefootwear coverings contained therein from place to place whilesimultaneously engaging in normal activity or sport.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a footwearcovering having a waterproof sole adapted to be worn over the user'sfoot and/or sock while walking around a ski lodge or other wet, dirty,snowy or slippery surface.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a footwearcovering having a removable inner sole having at least one layer,adapted to be inserted into the interior cavity of the footwear coveringfor allowing a user to walk around indoors or outdoors on wet, snowy orslippery surfaces.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a footwearcovering adapted for use by trampoline jumpers, travelers, students andthose sharing communal spaces, hunters, hikers, bikers, golfers,skaters, loungers at home and all others engaged in leisure or sportactivity which may require a specific shoe, hospital recovery, ortravel.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a slip-onfootwear covering is provided having a single flexible body having alower portion, a side portion and an upper portion. The footwearcovering includes a bendable waterproof outer sole. The outer sole isattached to the body proximate the lower portion.

The outer sole may extend at least partially up the side portion towardsthe upper portion of the body. The outer sole may have a plurality ofprotrusions extending outwardly therefrom. The body and outer sole maybe made of neoprene. The outer sole may also be made of synthetic resin.

The footwear covering may include a removable bendable inner sole havingat least one layer that may include a first layer made of neopreneadhered to a second layer made of water-absorbing material.Alternatively, the first layer may be made of foil adhered to a secondlayer made of water-absorbing material.

In accordance with an additional embodiment, a footwear covering isprovided that is wearable on a foot of a wearer. The footwear coveringincludes a single water-resistant body having an interior cavity forreceiving the foot of the wearer therein. The body has a lower portion,a side portion and an upper portion defining the interior cavity. Thefootwear covering includes a bendable inner sole removably insertableinto the interior cavity of the body proximate the lower portion.

The water-resistant body may be foldable and may be made of neoprene.The inner sole may have at least one layer including a first layer madeof neoprene adhered to a second layer made of water-absorbing material.Alternatively, the layers may include a first layer made of foil adheredto a second layer made of water-absorbing material.

The footwear covering may include a bendable waterproof outer soleattached to the body proximate the lower portion. The outer sole mayextend at least partially up the side portion towards the upper portionof the body. The outer sole portion may have a plurality of protrusionsextending outwardly therefrom. The outer sole may be made of neoprene.The upper portion of the body may include a tab.

In accordance with an additional embodiment, a combination footwearcovering and carrier bag assembly is provided wherein the combination issecurely wearable about a body portion of a wearer. The footwearcovering includes a water-resistant body having an interior cavity. Thebody has a lower portion, a side portion and an upper portion definingthe interior cavity. The footwear covering includes a bag of bendable,water-resistant, washable material having an opening and interiorcompartment for receiving and holding the footwear covering therein. Thebag includes a pair of adjustable straps extending from the bag. The bagincludes a means for fastening the straps securely about the bodyportion of the wearer.

The bag may include a zippered opening. The combination assembly mayinclude a bendable waterproof outer sole attached to the body proximatethe lower portion. The outer sole may extend at least partially up theside portion towards the upper portion of the body. The outer sole mayhave a plurality of protrusions extending outwardly therefrom.

The body and outer sole may be made of neoprene. The outer sole may alsobe made of synthetic resin.

The combination assembly may include a removable bendable inner solehaving at least one layer. The layers may include a first layer made ofneoprene adhered to a second layer made of water-absorbing material. Thelayers may include a first layer made of foil adhered to a second layermade of water-absorbing material.

The fastening means of the combination assembly may be an interlockingclip having a male portion attached to one of the straps and a femaleportion attached to the other of the straps.

In accordance with an additional embodiment, a method for carrying apair of footwear coverings on a body portion of a wearer during activityis provided. The steps of the method include obtaining a water-resistantbag having an opening having an interior portion and a means forfastening the opening. The opening alternates between an opened positionand a closed position. Opening the bag thereby exposing the interiorportion. When the bag is in the opened position the interior portion isconfigured to receive the pair of footwear coverings. Storing a pair offootwear coverings in the interior portion of the bag. Closing the bagthereby securing the footwear coverings within the interior portion.When the bag is in the closed positioned the fastening means isconfigured to contain the pair of footwear coverings within the interiorportion. Attaching the water-resistant bag around the body portion ofthe wearer.

The method may further include the step of engaging in an athletic,sport or leisure activity by the wearer while donning thewater-resistant bag with foot coverings therein.

The method may further include the steps of detaching thewater-resistant bag from the body portion of the wearer, opening the bagthereby exposing the interior portion, removing the pair of footwearcoverings from the water-resistant bag, and donning the pair of footwearcoverings. The method may further include inserting an inner sole intothe pair of the footwear coverings.

The method may further include the step of washing the footwearcoverings and water-resistant bag after use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

To these and to such other objects that may hereinafter appear, thepresent invention relates to combination water-resistant footwearcovering and carrier bag assembly as described in detail in thefollowing specification and recited in the annexed claims, takentogether with the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals refer tolike parts in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a footwearcovering of the present invention including a body portion and sole;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the sole of the footwear covering ofFIG. 2;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a footwearcovering of the present invention showing a body having an interiorcavity and exterior sole portion;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the back of the footwear covering ofFIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the bottom and side of the footwearcovering of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the footwear covering of FIG. 3 showingan inner sole being inserted into the interior cavity of the body of thefootwear covering;

FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view of the inner sole of the footwear coveringof FIG. 6 showing a first layer;

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the inner sole of the footwear covering ofFIG. 6 showing a second layer;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the inner sole of the footwearcovering taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 7 showing the first and secondlayers;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the front of the carrier bag assemblyof the present invention having a zippered interior compartment andadjustable straps;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the carrier bag assembly showing theinterior compartment in an opened position adapted for use storing thefootwear covering of FIG. 1 therein;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the carrier bag assembly showing theinterior compartment in an opened position adapted for use storing thefootwear covering of FIG. 3 therein;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the back of the carrier bag assembly ofFIG. 10 showing the adjustable straps fastened together in a closedposition; and

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the combination footwear covering andcarrier bag assembly adapted for use storing the footwear coveringwithin the carrier bag and being worn about a leg of a wearer's bodyduring sport.

To the accomplishment of the above and related objects the invention maybe embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings.Attention is called to the fact, however, that the drawings areillustrative only. Variations are contemplated as being part of theinvention, limited only by the scope of the claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings, there is illustrated a combinationfootwear covering and carrier bag assembly 9 according to the preferredembodiment of the invention, wherein like reference numerals refer tolike parts throughout the drawings.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the footwear covering 10A of the firstembodiment includes a single slip-on flexible body 12 that may bewaterproof or water-resistant. The flexible body 12 has a lower portion14, a side portion 16 and an upper portion 18 which define an interiorcavity 20. The length and width of the body 12 is customizable in anendless variety of different sizes to accommodate wearers having everyshoe size and width. The interior cavity 20 is the foot-receivingportion of the slip-on footwear covering 10A. In this first embodiment,when a foot is received within the interior cavity 20 the upper portion18 of the body 12 extends upwardly beyond the ankle proximate the calfregion of the leg of the wearer.

The footwear covering 10A of the first embodiment includes a bendablewaterproof outer sole portion 22 adjacent the lower portion 14. Theouter sole portion 22 is preferably attached to the body 12, proximatethe lower portion 14. The outer sole portion 22 may extend upwardly inorder to cover, at least partially, the side portion 16.

FIG. 2 illustrates the outer sole portion 22 of the footwear covering10A, which is preferably made of flexible poly vinyl chloride plastic orother synthetic or natural plastic or rubber-like material for providingwater-resistance, durability and traction to the footwear covering 10A.The outer sole portion 22 may be composed of a hard material in order toprovide additional traction and durability, while still being waterproofand able to bend. The outer sole portion 22 includes a plurality ofoutwardly extending protrusions 24. The protrusions 24 of thisembodiment are preferably round and composed of the same or similarmaterial as the outer sole portion 22. The waterproof outer soles 22keep the user's feet dry from water or snow on the floor, which is oftentracked indoors by other people, and the protrusions 24 provide tractionon slippery wet floors and protect the wearer's feet. Alternateembodiments may include outer sole portions 22 having arch supports forproviding additional comfort and recesses for receiving heat packets forwarming the wearer's feet.

FIGS. 3-6 illustrates a second embodiment of the present invention,wherein the footwear covering 10B resembles a slip-on shoe. The body 12remains a single water-resistant member having the interior cavity 20adaptable for receiving the foot of the wearer therein. In this secondembodiment, the upper portion 18, preferably made of neoprene, onlyextends proximate the ankle portion of the leg of the wearer. The upperportion 18 also includes a tab 30, shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, for aidingthe wearer in slipping-on and removing the covering 10.

FIG. 5 illustrates the outer sole portion 22 having a plurality ofprotrusions 24 for providing traction when walking around outside or onslippery or wet floors. The sole portion 22 is preferably made ofneoprene or other synthetic or natural rubber-like or plastic materialfor providing water-resistance, durability and traction to the footwearcovering 10B. The protrusions 24 may extend outwardly from the soleportion 22 and be of the same or similar material, or alternatively, notextend outwardly at all and be defined by a different material orsurface texture in order to provide traction and resistance.

FIG. 6 illustrates a removable bendable inner sole 40, which insertsinto the interior cavity 20 of the body 12 of the footwear covering 10Bby extending transversely across the width of the lower portion 14 ofthe body 12 and longitudinally from a back or heel portion 13 to a frontor toe portion 15 of the footwear covering 10B. The inner sole 40 ismade-up of at least one layer. The inner sole 40 is preferably made in asingle large size to accommodate the largest of feet and is able to becut by the wearer with scissors to accommodate any size length and widthfeet of the wearer.

FIGS. 7-9 illustrate the inner sole 40, which is formed by adheringtogether a first layer 42 of foil, warming material, neoprene orethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) and a second layer 44 of water-wicking orwater-absorbing material like wool or synthetic wool. A third layer (notshown) is positioned between the first and second layers 42, 44respectively and preferably made of cotton. Together the layers arebendable and may also be formed of other synthetic or natural materialsnot limited to those of the preferred embodiment. Preferably, the firstlayer 42 is positioned downwardly for insertion into the interior cavity20 of the footwear covering 10B. The first layer 42 is positionableadjacent the lower portion 14 for providing stability and durability tothe footwear covering 10B, while the second layer 44 is positionableadjacent the bottom of a wearer's foot for keeping the wearer's foot dryand comfortable during use.

FIG. 10 illustrates the carrier bag assembly 50 preferably comprised ofa substantially rectangular-shaped bag 52 of bendable, water-proof orwater-resistant, washable and nylon material. FIG. 11 illustrates thebag 52, which has two opposite sides 54 and an interior compartment 56defined between the sides 54. The bag 52 includes an opening 58extending from one side to the other side for exposing the interiorcompartment 56. A fastening means or zipper 60 extends along the opening58 for opening or closing the interior compartment 56. As shown, theinterior compartment 56 is adapted for receiving and holding a pair offootwear coverings 10A, 10B therein.

FIG. 11 illustrates a pair of the footwear coverings 10A of the firstembodiment secured within the interior compartment 56 of the carrier bagassembly 50. FIG. 12 illustrates a pair of the footwear coverings 10B ofthe second embodiment secured within the interior compartment 56 of thecarrier bag assembly 50.

FIG. 13 illustrates a pair of adjustable straps 62 extending from thesides 54 of the bag 52 and adapted to wrap the bag 52 around a portionof the wearer's body. The straps 62 include a means for fasteningsecurely to the wearer. Preferably, the fastening means 64 is aninterlocking clip, including a male portion 66 attached to a distal end63 of one strap 62A and a female portion 68 attached to a distal end 63of the other strap 62B, which buckle together to secure the bag 52around the wearer or provide a sling for carrying the bag on yourshoulder. Alternative variations are contemplated wherein the straps 62are adapted to provide means for carrying the bag like a backpack, slingor even hang from inside of a jacket having an interior tab. Inaddition, the bag with footwear coverings therein may be stored in ajacket or pants pocket.

As illustrated in FIG. 14, the straps may wrap the bag 52 around a legof a skier or snowboarder while the interlocking clip 64 securely holdsthe bag 52 in position. Alternatively, the bag 52 may affix around anarm, waist, torso or any other portion of the wearer's body as selected.The bag 52 comfortably secures to the wearer such that the wearer isable to continue to partake in normal activity and sport.

When the activity or sport is finished and the appropriate uniform,shoes, boots or gear removed, the footwear covering 10A, 10B is readilyaccessible for wear. When the wearer resumes the activity or sport, thefootwear covering 10A, 10B is easily replaced inside the interiorcompartment of the bag 52 before selectively securing to the body sothat the activity or sport can be normally resumed.

The preferred use of the combination footwear covering and carrier bagassembly 9 first includes opening the bag to expose the interiorcompartment 56. When the bag 52 is in the opened position 52A theinterior compartment is configured to receive a pair of the footwearcoverings 10A, 10B. The wearer stores a pair of the footwear coverings10A, 10B in the interior compartment 56 of the bag 52 and closes the bag52 by zippering shut the fastening means in order to secure the footwearcoverings within the interior compartment. When the bag 52 is in theclosed positioned 52B the fastening means is configured to contain apair of the footwear coverings 10A, 10B within the interior compartment56. The wearer is free to selectively attach the water-resistant bag 52around their leg by wrapping the straps around the leg and interlockingthe male and female portions 66, 68 of the clip 64 of the fasteningmeans together.

To retrieve the footwear coverings the wearer unbuckles the male andfemale portions 66, 68 of the clip 64 and unwraps the straps 62 fromtheir leg. The wearer then unzips the zippered opening 60 of theinterior compartment 56 of the bag 52 and removes a pair of thewater-resistant footwear coverings 10A, 10B therefrom.

Alternative uses are contemplated and this application should not belimited to the preferred use by skiers and snowboarders after skiing andsnowboarding. Trampoline jumpers, travelers, students and those sharingcommunal spaces, hunters, hiker, bikers, golfers, skaters, loungers athome and all others engaged in leisure or sport activity, which may ormay not require specific shoes, hospital recovery, or travel may seek touse the present invention for a variety of different uses and reasonsnot limited to those discussed herein.

In conclusion, herein is presented a combination water-resistantfootwear covering and carrier bag assembly. The invention is illustratedby example in the drawing figures, and throughout the writtendescription.

It should be understood that numerous variations are possible, whileadhering to the inventive concept. Such variations are contemplated asbeing a part of the present invention.

While only a limited number of preferred embodiments of the presentinvention have been disclosed for purposes of illustration, it isobvious that many modifications and variations could be made thereto. Itis intended to cover all of those modifications and variations, whichfall within the scope of the present invention as defined by thefollowing claims.

We claim:
 1. A slip-on footwear covering, comprising: a single flexiblebody having a lower portion, a side portion and an upper portion; and abendable waterproof outer sole, said outer sole attached to said bodyproximate said lower portion.
 2. The footwear covering of claim 1wherein the outer sole extends at least partially up the side portiontowards the upper portion of the body.
 3. The footwear covering of claim1 wherein the outer sole has a plurality of protrusions extendingoutwardly therefrom.
 4. The footwear covering of claim 1 wherein thebody is made of neoprene.
 5. The footwear covering of claim 1 whereinthe outer sole is made of neoprene.
 6. The footwear covering of claim 1wherein the outer sole is made of synthetic resin.
 7. The footwearcovering of claim 1 further comprising a removable bendable inner solehaving at least one layer.
 8. The footwear covering of claim 7 whereinthe layers include a first layer made of neoprene adhered to a secondlayer made of water-absorbing material.
 9. The footwear covering ofclaim 7 wherein the layers include a first layer made of foil adhered toa second layer made of water-absorbing material.
 10. A slip-on footwearcovering wearable on a foot of a wearer, comprising: a water-resistantbody having an interior cavity for receiving said foot of said wearertherein, said body having a lower portion, a side portion and an upperportion defining said interior cavity; and a bendable inner soleremovably insertable into said interior cavity of said body proximatesaid lower portion.
 11. The footwear covering of claim 10 wherein thewater-resistant body is foldable.
 12. The footwear covering of claim 10wherein the water-resistant body is made of neoprene.
 13. The footwearcovering of claim 10 wherein the inner sole has at least one layer. 14.The footwear covering of claim 13 wherein the layers include a firstlayer made of neoprene adhered to a second layer made of water-absorbingmaterial.
 15. The footwear covering of claim 13 wherein the layersinclude a first layer made of foil adhered to a second layer made ofwater-absorbing material.
 16. The footwear covering of claim 10 furthercomprising a bendable waterproof outer sole attached to the bodyproximate the lower portion.
 17. The footwear covering of claim 16wherein the outer sole extends at least partially up the side portiontowards the upper portion of the body.
 18. The footwear covering ofclaim 16 wherein the outer sole portion has a plurality of protrusionsextending outwardly therefrom.
 19. The footwear covering of claim 16wherein the outer sole is made of neoprene.
 20. The footwear covering ofclaim 10 wherein the upper portion includes a tab.
 21. A combinationfootwear covering and carrier bag assembly, wherein the combination issecurely wearable about a body portion of a wearer: a footwear coveringincluding a water-resistant body having an interior cavity, said bodyhaving a lower portion, a side portion and an upper portion definingsaid interior cavity; and a bag of bendable, water-resistant, washablematerial having an opening and interior compartment for receiving andholding said footwear covering therein, a pair of adjustable strapsextending from said bag and a means for fastening said straps securelyabout said body portion of said wearer.
 22. The combination assembly ofclaim 21 wherein the opening of the bag is a zippered opening.
 23. Thecombination assembly of claim 21 further comprising a bendablewaterproof outer sole attached to the body of the footwear coveringproximate the lower portion.
 24. The combination assembly of claim 23wherein the outer sole extends at least partially up the side portiontowards the upper portion of the body.
 25. The combination assembly ofclaim 23 wherein the outer sole has a plurality of protrusions extendingoutwardly therefrom.
 26. The combination assembly of claim 21 whereinthe body is made of neoprene.
 27. The combination assembly of claim 23wherein the outer sole is made of neoprene.
 28. The combination assemblyof claim 23 wherein the outer sole is made of synthetic resin.
 29. Thecombination assembly of claim 21 further comprising a removable bendableinner sole having at least one layer.
 30. The combination assembly ofclaim 29 wherein the layers include a first layer made of neopreneadhered to a second layer made of water-absorbing material.
 31. Thecombination assembly of claim 29 wherein the layers include a firstlayer made of foil adhered to a second layer made of water-absorbingmaterial.
 32. The combination assembly of claim 21 wherein the fasteningmeans is an interlocking clip having a male portion attached to one ofthe straps and a female portion attached to the other of said straps.33. A method for carrying a pair of footwear coverings on a body portionof a wearer during activity, the method comprising: a. obtaining awater-resistant bag having an opening having an interior portion and ameans for fastening said opening, wherein said opening alternatesbetween an opened position and a closed position; b. opening said bagthereby exposing said interior portion, wherein said bag is in saidopened position characterized by said interior portion configured toreceive said pair of footwear coverings; c. storing a pair of footwearcoverings in said interior portion of said bag; d. closing said bagthereby securing said footwear coverings within said interior portion,wherein said bag is in said closed positioned characterized by saidfastening means configured to contain said pair of footwear coveringswithin said interior portion; and e. attaching and securing saidwater-resistant bag unobtrusively around said body portion of saidwearer.
 34. The method of claim 32 further comprising the step ofengaging in an athletic, sport or leisure activity by the wearer whiledonning the water-resistant bag with foot coverings therein.
 35. Themethod of claim 33 further comprising the steps of detaching thewater-resistant bag from the body portion of the wearer; opening the bagthereby exposing the interior portion; removing the pair of footwearcoverings from the water-resistant bag; and donning the pair of footwearcoverings.
 36. The method of claim 33 further comprising the step ofinserting an inner sole into the pair of the footwear coverings.
 37. Themethod of claim 33 further comprising the step of washing the footwearcoverings and water-resistant bag after use.